It is understandable that a phrase such as 'emergency voice access' might reassure organisations which have not yet completed their change. But the detail matters.
On 24 September 2026, Openreach confirmed its 31 January 2027 PSTN closure date and described a temporary Emergency Voice Access service, often abbreviated EVAc, for eligible remaining lines. It may maintain limited voice calling and, where technically possible, preserve some linked broadband connections.
Openreach said it cannot be ordered or reserved in advance, capacity is not unlimited, and some lines that cannot be moved to it will cease. The prices in its announcement are wholesale charges to communications providers, not a published retail bill for a particular care service. S04
None of this is evidence that a legacy telecare alarm will send usable signals through the arrangement. Equally, it would be inaccurate to claim that every service still relying on a traditional line will automatically stop at midnight. The correct operational question is which service the organisation has, how its provider intends to migrate it and what has been tested.
The distinction also matters for organisations that use copper-based broadband. Not every copper broadband service ends in exactly the same way as the traditional analogue voice network. The actual product, network provider and linked equipment have to be identified. It is not helpful to replace uncertainty with a universal statement.
The government's housing guidance recommends fully digital telecare as the long-term direction. It describes temporary bridging arrangements as potentially useful in particular circumstances but requiring local risk assessment, testing, monitoring and a plan to move beyond them. S01
For Care Circle, the editorial decision is simple. Explain the safety net clearly, then return to the care service. What connection does the alarm actually use? Is the line still on a retiring service? Has the device been verified with the receiving service? What is the confirmed migration date? What would the team do if it fails before or after that date?
What this means for providers: Contact the business that supplies the affected telephone service, ask for its migration proposal and confirm that the equipment owner and receiving service are part of the handover. Do not put an unverified temporary arrangement into a continuity plan as though it were a guaranteed solution.
Connected journey: Chapters 1, 2 and 6. Earlier reporting: January is approaching: will every care connection still work?.